As we close out Election Season, one thing is clear: LGBTQ+ young people aren’t sitting on the sidelines.

According to our new research brief, Civic Engagement, Political Concerns, and Mental Health Among LGBTQ+ Young People, a majority of LGBTQ+ youth are civically engaged — from volunteering and voting to speaking out on the issues that matter most to them.

Transgender and nonbinary youth, in particular, are leading the way when it comes to taking action and advocating for change as they are deeply aware of how politics shape their daily lives.

LGBTQ+ young people are leading change — but they’re also bearing the emotional weight of harmful rhetoric and legislation. Our data show that both motivation to act and exposure to anti-LGBTQ+ politics are linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression.

Our commitment as advocates and allies to LGBTQ+ young people means supporting them in every part of their lives — including how they engage with the world around them. When politics impact mental health, we must act to make civic spaces safer, more inclusive, and affirming for LGBTQ+ youth.

Together, we can ensure that young people who are motivated to make change feel supported, not harmed, by the systems they’re trying to improve.

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